Erik had worked hard to be the best. He had done everything that his king had ever asked of him. That was why he was here now, to please his king. His king had said that without a wife, it did not matter how many battles you had won or how many men you had killed, life was pointless. Erik did not understand how his king could be so wrong. Two of his three companions had already found brides and had taken them back to Scotland. Their brides had been pretty, but they were not something Erik wanted to burdened the rest of his life with. Didn't his king understand that he was giving Erik a burden that would last the rest of his days? His third companion, Jeremy, was simply along to get an understanding of England's ways. Nothing more. He didn't realize how lucky he was.
They came upon their last stop. Erik knew he would be forced to choose one from this baron's household. The hand was eyeing them as they put their horses into the stables. Finally, the stable hand spoke. "I see you found nothing of interests in the other homes. His lordship will be displeased, but I've a gift for you."
"Oh, and what would that be, old man?"
"It can make your life sweeter than heaven or a living hell. That is the best way to describe it. Other that you should see it for yourself. Come, the house will be asleep. You will have to wait until the morning."
Erik was walking back from Jeremy's room when he heard it. It was the sweetest voice that he had ever heard. He was pretty sure that God was torturing him with the voice of an angel, but as he crept around the corner he saw her. She was sitting on the bed singing to some child. "And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain. Sail far away from lullaby bay. Goodnight Daniel."
"Goodnight, Christine." So that was the angel's name. He hid in the shadow as she left the room. She had walked halfway down the hall before she turned and looked. She acted as if though she heard something. She must have strugged it off because she kept walking. He was looking forward to the morning when he would learn more about this angel.
Erik was already sitting at the table with half of the baron's other children when Christine appeared with Daniel. He was surprised at how pretty she was. He decided not to say anything yet. He would wait until after he had spoken to the baron.
His attention was drawn back to the table by two of the younger ones screaming at each other. "That's not, true. They do not wear dresses."
"Do so."
"Susan, Christopher that is enough." The two quit screaming at the voice of Christine.
"Tell her, Christine."
"Christine, he's lying, isn't he?"
"It's called their plaid. Hush, now that you have probably offended our guests." Erik was intrigued that she had known about plaid. He was about to ask what else she knew about the Scots, but a servant came in and whispered something into her ear. "Excuse me." She hurried and left the hall.